The Spirituality of Communion: A Resource for Dialogue with Catholics in Public Life

Abstract:     
In response to the recent debates over whether Catholic pro-choice politicians should be admitted to receive communion, this essay begins with a broader question: What is the relationship between the Eucharist and political commitment? Weaving together texts from John Paul II's recent Encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, and the United States Bishop's most recent guide for reflection on political life, Faithful Citizenship, the essay concludes that just about every politician who claims to have a Catholic perspective on political life could be more consistent with the broad and overarching vision of Catholic social teaching.

It then suggests that Pope John Paul II's recent descriptions of a spirituality to make the Church the home and the school of communion are a precious resource for the dialogue with Catholics in public life, and more generally, to overcome the polarizing and paralyzing tensions which plague not only the Church, but the broader public discourse.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 23

Accepted Paper Series